All Things Bubba

MLB sources: Former @RiceBaseball star Paul Janish,who has played for Reds,Braves& @Orioles,expected to join Owls staff following 2017season pic.twitter.com/hDGw8VZDhP

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 10, 2017

I'm not surprised he's contemplating retirement. He’s been talking about the end of his playing career for awhile now. I was planning to go see the Tides in Rochester this weekend, in part because I suspected it might be my last chance to see him play.

But I am surprised he's returning to Rice. I was expecting him to join the Baltimore Orioles minor league coaching staff. Buck Showalter said he wanted Janish as a coach when he retired, and Janish seemed happy at the idea. I guess Rice would be a more appealing option to a guy with three little kids. Less travel, and family around to help out.

I am disappointed that it's looking like Janish won't be on the big league roster for Player's Weekend. I wonder what name he would choose? Maybe "Soft-J," the nickname given to him in Cincinnati?

Tony Cingrani, now a Dodger, is going with "Grani." Tyler Duffey is "The Doof." Brock Holt is "Brock Star." Anthony Rendon is "Ant." At least they didn't go with their real first or last names, like a lot of players did.

Labels: Anthony Rendon, brock holt, Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani, Tyler Duffey

Well, I have to say, I wasn't expecting this. Paul Janish was called up by the Orioles about three weeks ago, when utility infielder Ryan Flaherty went on the DL with shoulder inflammation. I figured his roster spot was safe until Flaherty came off the DL.

But the O's had other plans. They acquired Ruben Tejada from the Yankees, two days ago. They announced he was being assigned to AAA, but today purchased his contract and designated Janish for assignment.

Janish has had all of five at-bats in his three weeks with the O's this year, so it seems odd that they would even bother to switch utility infielders.

Unless they are hoping Tejada can be more than a utility infielder. JJ Hardy has been really struggling this year. And it's the last year of his contract. Baltimore may be hoping Tejada can be the starting SS, at least part of the time.

Janish can refuse a minor league assignment and elect free agency if he clears waivers, but I expect he will report to Norfolk. He has in previous years, and this year, he's moved his family to Norfolk. It sounds like the Orioles have offered him a coaching job once his playing days are done.

Here's a short interview MASN did with Janish last weekend.

He talks about finishing his Rice degree, interning in real estate, and wanting to stay in the game even after he retires from playing. And about what a great experience winning the CWS was, and how he's still good friends with the guys he played with back then. (He said that when he was in Cincinnati, too: that winning the CWS with Rice was the best experience he ever had in baseball, because they won it all.)

Roch Kubatko had another interview with Janish the other day, that was kind funny. Janish said he wanted to be the emergency catcher and the disaster relief pitcher (roles he filled in Cincinnati). Kubatko warned him it could be dangerous. The O’s have had to put two catchers on the DL with...um...testicular injuries. Janish said he’d be okay, because with two boys and a girl, he’s not planning on having any more kids.

Good ol’ Janny, always ready to take one for the team. Maybe he'll get called up again later this year.

Meanwhile, the Reds activated Tony Cingrani today. He's been on the DL for a couple of months with an oblique injury. The Reds have given up on Cingrani starting; he's just not durable enough. But he's been solid out of the pen, at least when healthy.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

The Reds announced today that Tony Cingrani will be moved to the bullpen. He does not seem happy about this. I think he really wanted to be a starter.

But his heavy reliance on his fastball has raised red flags for many. Not to mention his recurring shoulder issues. I think there's some concern that if he pitches multiple innings, fatigue will increase his risk of injury.

Meanwhile, former Red Paul Janish has healed much faster than anticipated. He played in a minor league game last weekend, and DH'd in the "B" game yesterday.

He's DHing because the Orioles didn't want him to throw across the diamond yet. There was some talk of using him at 1B, where he wouldn't have to throw as far. Though he's now throwing 120 feet, so if he's not ready now, he's close.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Sure doesn't feel like spring yet here in the northeast, but spring training is underway in Arizona and Florida.

Paul Janish hasn't played in a game yet. I thought at first he was just buried on the depth chart, with Rey Navarro, Everth Cabrera, etc. signed after he was. But no, he's injured. He had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow last month. He's hitting off tee and just started fielding grounders. He can't throw yet. He's hoping to get into an actual game March 20 or 21, but admits that's optimistic.

Haven't seen Tony Cingrani yet, either. Not sure if he's injured or just hasn't gotten into a game yet. He's supposedly being considered as a starter, but might end up in the pen.

He did give up a home run to Billy Hamilton in batting practice, so he is pitching.

Update: Cingrani is starting tomorrow (Friday). I guess he really is in the mix for a spot in the starting rotation.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

The Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox in a rain-delayed game Tuesday night to take the AAA Championship...again.

Paul Janish is somewhere in the above photo, but I couldn't pick him out. I did recognize him this photo, #21, front and center.

George Grande and Jim Kaat called the game for NBC. Grande is a Reds announcer, so he was pretty familiar with Paul Janish. He said some nice things about him. According to him, the Storm Chasers had the worse defense in the league until Janish came on board. They ended up solidly in the middle of the pack. (Hey, one man can only do so much.) He also said the Storm Chasers manager pointed to Brian Bocock and Paul Janish when asked who the leaders in the clubhouse were.

FWIW...the Royals put backup SS Christian Colon on the 15-day DL yesterday. The timing seems a bit odd. He broke his finger 10 days ago. With the expanded rosters, there's no need to DL him if they want to call up someone else. The only reason to put him on the DL is to substitute someone else for the postseason roster...someone who was not on the 25 man roster on Aug. 31.

They could have waited until they actually had to set the postseason roster, so it's still a little odd. I think what this means is that they don't think he'll be healthy enough to play this year. Also, DLing him the day after Omaha's season ended suggests that they're considering calling up someone from the AAA team.

The Royals have not called up anyone to replace Colon yet. Today's an off day for them, so they might not make a move until tomorrow. Assuming they even make a move.

In other news, Bryan Price thinks Tony Cingrani's role might be in the pen next year.

"I think the more he starts, the more it becomes apparent that he definitely needs to improve the breaking ball and the change-up or he'll be better served pitching out of the bullpen."

Ugh. I'm afraid they're going to do the same thing with him that they did with Aroldis Chapman. The Reds see next year as their window. In the long run, they might be better off letting Cingrani perfect his secondary pitches in AAA, but they're in "win now" mode and don't have time for that.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Well, the Reds traded Jonathan Broxton to division rival Milwaukee today. It was evident well before this, but that trade makes it official: put a fork in the Reds, they're done.

Tony Cingrani still has not thrown a pitch since mid-June. He has some kind of shoulder problem. Which is apparently much more serious than they thought at first, or at least that they let on.

No reason to rush him back now, that's for sure. Hopefully he'll be healthy and ready to go next season.

For teams with more hope than the Reds, tonight is the deadline for setting up the roster for the postseason. Rosters expand tomorrow; any player you want to use in the postseason must be added to the roster tonight.

In theory. In practice, any player anywhere in the team's organization as of midnight tonight is eligible for the postseason, if they are substituted for someone on the DL.

The Royals plan to add three players to their roster tonight, all young prospects. Not sure how they will make room, but they have only three players on the DL. And one of them, Hosmer, is expected to be back for the postseason, so it's really two spots for roster substitution. Most teams have more. Some even stock up the DL at the deadline, to increase their options. This might be bad news for Paul Janish's chances of making the postseason roster.

The Omaha Storm Chasers game is in rain delay now. They have a good chance of making the PCL post season, so the Royals might want to wait to call up players until after it's over. But they're going to have a bit of a roster crunch, at least if they want to use any of the late callups in the playoffs.

I dunno, normally, I'd expect Janish to have a good chance of being added to the postseason roster. But the Royals are different. Maybe it's because they're not used to being in the postseason, but they don't seem to be doing the kinds of things teams usually do in their situation.

Not to mention, they're kind of collapsing. They might let their postseason opportunity slip away.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Been offline the past couple of weeks. I joined my parents on an "adventure" trip to Africa. Which meant no running water, no electricity, and definitely no Internet. (Not to say all Africa is like that - we spent a lot of time off the beaten path.)

I ended up sitting next to a professional athlete in the plane on the way back. Not a baseball player. A basketball player - Tanzania-born Hasheem Thabeet. Man, is he tall.

Anyways, I returned to find a lot had happened in the world of baseball. A new commissioner has been named. The Reds have fallen below .500 and are solidly in fourth place in the division; their season is likely done, though apparently owner Bob Castellini is still hoping.

The Reds have been decimated by injury. Including Tony Cingrani. He has not thrown a pitch since June, and at this point it seems unlikely he'll return this year. Supposedly he'll start a throwing program soon, but with the Reds having nothing to play for except draft picks, there's no reason to push him.

Things seem to be looking up for Paul Janish, though. He is en fuego for the Omaha Storm Chasers. He went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run last night (off lefty John Lannan). He's OPSing .877 for the Storm Chasers. .345 / .408 / .469

And the Royals took over the top spot in their division while I was gone. They are looking like a legit playoff team. That's good news for Janish. With the post-season roster rules, many teams like to carry a player like Janish: versatile guy who can be a solid backup at SS. Be interesting to see if they add him to the roster before the Aug. 31 deadline. (Even if they don't, he can still be added later.)

Janish also got a shout-out from former teammate and still good friend Jay Bruce. Bruce participated in the ice bucket challenge, and challenged Janish to do the same. Which probably means Janish will be getting an ice water bath and writing a check soon. All for a good cause, of course.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Tony Cingrani was demoted to Triple-A Louisville today. It's not really a surprise. He's struggled with injury and ineffectiveness this year. He was moved to the pen, and when he walked in the winning run in extra innings against Pittsburgh the other day, the handwriting was on the wall.

I assume he'll go back into the starting rotation with the Louisville Bats. The Reds still have faith him; with his injury history and all, I'm guessing they want him to work things out in the minors, where there's less pressure.

He'll be back soon enough.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Tony Cingrani has struggled since coming off the DL. Many people thought it was a "phantom DL" trip - the Reds needed room on the roster, and Cingrani is still on innings count. He'd have to skip some games anyway.

He hasn't pitched very well his last two games. He and his manager blamed it on his having missed so much time.

But it looks to me like his velocity is down a bit. Perhaps intentional, to gain more control?

It's also possible that the book has gotten around on Cingrani, and his deceptive delivery is no longer so deceptive. He lives off his fastball, and might have to start using his secondary pitches more often.

The Reds are going to have one too many starting pitchers when Mat Latos gets off the DL next month. It's looking like it might be Cingrani sent down to AAA to make room for him.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Oh, wait, it's just Tony Cingrani.

All Cincinnati Reds players are required to participate in one of two off-season events for fans. One is Reds Caravan, in late winter, where small groups of players, coaches, and broadcasters travel around Reds country (which is quite large), meeting with fans at shopping malls and the like. The other is this weekend: Redfest, held in Cincinnati.

Tony Cingrani is doing Redsfest this year. A rather hirsute Tony Cingrani.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Winter has come for the Cincinnati Reds. They never had a champagne celebration. After winning the division a couple of years, I guess a wild card berth didn't seem worth celebrating. They were going to wait until after they won the wild card game. But they didn't win. Their season is over.

Tony Cingrani was not on the playoff roster announced this morning. They were hoping he could return if the Reds went deep into the postseason, but I guess he's still too injured to pitch now.

The Braves have not announced their postseason roster yet, but I'm guessing Paul Janish will make it. According to beat writer Mark Bowman, second baseman Dan Uggla has been informed that he will not be on the postseason roster, at least for the first round.

If this is true, it leaves the Braves with just 5 infielders. Janish will be the only backup infielder. That seems weird and ill-advised. The Braves could call up Phil Gosselin again, but Bowman says they want an extra pitcher for Uggla's slot.

It kind of makes sense to leave Uggla off the roster. He appears to have lost the starting 2B job to Elliot Johnson. And Uggla is just not a good fit as a bench player. His defense is poor, he's not a good pinch runner, and lately he can't hit his way out of a wet paper bag. Janish has hit better over the last month than Uggla.

But OTOH...Janish as the only backup infielder on the bench seems crazy, especially in the post-season. I really don't know what to make of all this.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Well, the Braves clinched yesterday, and Paul Janish got into the beer and cigars. :-)

The Reds seem likely to be headed for the one-game playoff, but it's still possible they'll win the division outright...or not make the postseason at all.

Tony Cingrani has suffered a setback, which is a real blow for the Reds. Their last series is against the Pirates, the team they're currently tied with for second place in the division (two games back of the Cardinals). That means this last week of the season will have a playoff atmosphere. Dusty Baker will be forced to decide whether to save Latos for the one-game playoff, or hope there's a chance to win it all and start Latos against Pittsburgh during the last series of the regular season.

Currently, Latos is penciled in for Friday, with Greg Reynolds starting in Latos' usual spot on Wednesday. But that may change if it looks like the Reds have no chance of taking the division. The Thursday off day gives Dusty some wiggle room, and he could save Latos for the one-game playoff if it looks like the Reds have no chance of taking the division by then.

Would have been a lot easier if Cingrani were healthy. Not to mention...he's the Reds' only lefty starter. The division-leading Cardinals are the best in the NL against righties, and second to worst against lefties (only the Marlins have a lower team OPS). The Reds are still hoping Cingrani will be able to contribute in the postseason, but right now, it's not looking good.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Maybe it's the time of year. Toward the end of the long season. Players are getting worn down. For whatever reason, there seem to be a lot of injuries lately.

Tony Cingrani was pulled early with a back strain. Apparently, he'd been dealing with it awhile, but didn't say anything. Didn't want to be benched.

Reds don't seem to think it's too serious, but they might want to rest Cingrani anyway. He's getting up there, innings-wise. Though there's really no one to take his place. Reds are still in the thick of the division race, so it will be hard to take Cingrani out of the rotation if he's healthy enough to play.

The Reds have also lost Jonathan Broxton, the guy who was supposed to close if Chapman became a starter. Broxton needs surgery (not TJ) that will keep him out six months. His season is done.

The Braves have had some horrendous luck lately. Jason Heyward was hit in the face with a fastball, and whether he'll make it back for the postseason is questionable. And Brandon Beachy had some kind of setback; Will Carroll thinks he tore his elbow again and will need another Tommy John surgery. That's terrible news if it's true; only 20% of pitchers come back after a second TJ surgery.

The Braves acquired utility infielder Elliot Johnson in a waiver claim, and he's starting at 2B today in place of Janish. Johnson is out of options, so Janish might end up optioned back to AAA next week when Dan Uggla returns. It will only be a short while, I'm sure. Rosters expand soon.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Well, the Braves have announced their roster move. Poor Tyler Pastornicky is out for the season. His knee injury turned out to be a torn ACL, and he needs surgery.

There was speculation that the Braves would call up hot prospect Tommy La Stella, but they did not. They called up Phil Gosselin instead, a guy who does not have a particularly good bat or glove. I'd guess this means Janish will be the starting second baseman until Uggla comes back. They called up a guy they can outright to the minors when Uggla returns. Gosselin will likely clear waivers, and if he doesn't, they don't care.

The injury to Pastornicky probably means the Braves will acquire another backup infielder for the post-season. Janish's job is probably safe, as long as he stays healthy, but they need another backup infielder.

Meanwhile, Tony Cingrani was very impressive his last start. Admittedly, the Brewers are pretty terrible this year, but it was nice to see Cingrani being more efficient. His bugaboo has been having to throw too many pitches, but that wasn't a problem yesterday.

He's generating a lot of buzz. ESPN Insider likes his new curve ball. Blog Red Machine thinks Cingrani should be the number 2 starter in the postseason. (I doubt Dusty actually does that, but right now it sure looks like Cingrani belongs on the postseason roster somewhere.)

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Paul Janish had a nice nice play a week or so ago. No, it wasn't on defense. He worked a walk, then helped a run score with a nice takeout slide. His manager, Fredi Gonzalez, went out of the way to give him credit after the game.

Since then, Janish has gotten more playing time. Always as a LIDR...until tonight. Starting third baseman was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, and Janish, the only backup infielder on the roster, is in at third.

He's made some some great plays at third base so far. Holy cow, with Janish at third and Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, the left side of the infield is downright impenetrable.

Meanwhile, Tony Cingrani started for the Reds. He pitched well, but didn't get much run support. He gave up three runs, two unearned. Reds third baseman Jack Hannahan has three errors in the game. The contrast between him and Janish is stunning.

Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani

Looks like Tony Cingrani is back in the starting rotation. Reds ace Johnny Cueto injured himself again. No word yet, but I'm guessing it's his oblique again. Cingrani was put in to take his place. I'm guessing he'll go as long as he can, to stretch out again, and he'll take Cueto's spot in the rotation.

Off to a kind of rough start, though. Walked in two runs in the first inning.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Anthony Rendon hit his first big league home run last night, winning the game for the Nats. He was 3 for 5 on the night with two runs scored.

Meanwhile, Tony Cingrani is still in the big leagues. They are keeping him in Cincinnati even though Johnny Cueto has returned. Apparently, they're going to use him out of the pen.

Not sure I like that. Cueto's been rushed back, IMO. And Cingrani still has things to learn as a starter. I'm sure Tony's thrilled, though.

Labels: Anthony Rendon, Tony Cingrani

Tony Cingrani starts tonight for the Reds, and it might be the last time for awhile. Johnny Cueto will be activated of the DL on Monday. That is Mike Leake's day to start, but the Reds have been careful to say that that does not mean Leake is being sent down. They could send down Cingrani and just have Leake start a day late.

Meanwhile, Phil Humber, DFA'd by the Astros last week, has accepted an outright assignment to AAA Oklahoma City.

And David Aardsma may be headed to Japan. He requested his release from the Marlins' AAA team, and is reportedly being pursued by the Hanshin Tigers.

Labels: David Aardsma, Phil Humber, Tony Cingrani

Speculation is afoot that Tony Cingrani will keep his spot in the Reds rotation, with Mike Leake sent down to AAA to make room for Johnny Cueto, who is due to come off the DL soon.

The Reds have switched up the rotation, maybe so Cueto can take Leake's spot.

All highly speculative at this point, and Cingrani is ready to go back to Louisville if that's what the Reds decide.

Labels: Tony Cingrani

Well, Tony Cingrani is not flying under the radar any more. Bernie Pleskoff has taken note:

Consistent mechanics, repertoire key for Cingrani

It's going to be interesting to see what the Reds do when Cueto comes off the DL. Mike Leake has options, and could be sent down. Not sure they'll do that, though.

Labels: Tony Cingrani